Bill Belichick says 'we're all learning' from Dabo Swinney, details friendship
Bill Belichick and Dabo Swinney know a few things about winning championships − and its no surprise the now ACC foes have a friendship.
Belichick, the new North Carolina football coach, gave the longtime Clemson coach his flowers at ACC kickoff on Thursday, July 24, detailing he got to know Swinney while he was still with the New England Patriots and scouting Clemson players. Even though Belichick has had plenty of success with six Super Bowl victories, he said "we're all learning from Dabo" as he enters his first season coaching college football.
"Dabo has been a friend for a long time," Belichick said. "Dabo has been great. I have so much respect for him and the Clemson program, what he's done, the way he runs it, that's high quality."
Swinney has made Clemson a national powerhouse since taking the job. He's won two national championships and has taken the Tigers to College Football Playoff seven times, including six consecutive appearances from 2015-2020.
It's been quite the bond between Swinney and Belichick. The Clemson coach said prior to Belichick's comments he had already learned so much from Belichick in his short time in the ACC. The two also had a sit-down with ESPN in May.
Belichick's first season with the Tar Heels is highly anticipated, but the biggest matchup is arguably the home meeting with Clemson on Oct. 4. It's been nothing but love between the two famed coaches, but Belichick isn't sure if it will be a good time when the Tigers come to town.
"Again, I have a ton of respect for Dabo and what he's done," Belichick said. "Great opportunity to spend some time with him at the ACC coaches' meetings, and he's always been a really enjoyable guy to be around. I don't know if that'll be true on Saturday afternoon. Probably not. But at least in these meetings it is."